If you feel pain in your ankle, rest it for several days. Try NOT to move the affected area.

If your ankle is unstable, support it, especially during standing or walking. ACE bandages work well. If this does not provide enough support, you may need to be fit for a brace. Crutches or a cane can help take the weight off a sore or unsteady ankle.

For swelling, keep your foot elevated above the level of the heart, even while sleeping. Ice the area right away. Apply ice for 10-15 minutes every hour for the first day. Then, every 3-4 hours for 2 more days.

Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and swelling.

Even after the pain subsides, you will need to keep pressure off of it for up to 10 days for a mild sprain and up to 5 weeks for a more severe sprain.

Once you have healed adequately, you can start exercises to strengthen your ankle and avoid injury in the future. Do not begin these exercises until a health care professional tells you it is safe to start. One exercise, for example, involves balancing on your healing foot and hopping.

For arthritis of the ankle, take medication exactly as prescribed. When the pain and swelling start to decrease, gently begin to exercise the joint again. Swimming is good, followed by stretching. Walking can be added later. Exercises can be done several times a day; but DO NOT overdo it. Pain is a message from your body to stop.

Call your health care provider if

Go to the hospital or call 911 if:

You have severe pain when NOT bearing weight.

You suspect a broken bone (the joint appears deformed and you cannot put any weight on the leg).

There is an audible popping sound and immediate difficulty using the joint.

Call your doctor if:

Swelling does not go down within 2-3 days.

You have symptoms of infection -- the area becomes red, more painful, or warm, or you have a fever over 100°F.

The pain does not go away after several weeks.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, including a detailed examination of the ankles, and ask questions such as:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), special foot gear, or braces may be prescribed. Surgery is occasionally necessary.

Considerations

Ankle pain is often due to an ankle sprain. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, which connect bones to one another. In most cases of ankle sprain, the ankle is twisted inward, causing small tears in the ligaments. This makes the ankle unstable. The tearing leads to swelling and bruising, making it difficult to bear weight on the joint.

Once an ankle is sprained, the injury may take a few weeks to many months to fully heal. Often, the injured ankle remains a little weaker and less stable than the uninjured one. A proper recovery program can prevent this problem.

Other structures in the ankle that can be damaged and cause pain are tendons (which join muscles to bone), cartilage (which cushions joints), and blood vessels. Adjacent areas can cause pain to be felt in (referred to) the ankle -- these include the foot, lower leg, knee, and even hip.

Prevention

Lose weight if you are overweight. Extra pounds put strain on your ankles.

Warm-up before exercising. Stretch the muscles and tendons that anchor the ankle.

Avoid sports and activities for which you are not properly conditioned.

Make sure that shoes fit you properly. Avoid high-heeled shoes.

If you are prone to ankle pain or twisting your ankle during certain activities, use ankle support braces. These include air-casts, ACE bandages, or lace-up ankle supports.

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